MY DEAR SIR; HAVING given a few general hints in respect to the character and colour of trees, which contribute so much to the beauty of landscape scenery, it will now be necessary to continue some further remarks in regard to those verdant tints with which lovely nature is universally clothed ; and as the tender and undetermined greens, so peculiar to the distant parts of the scene, have already been pointed out, I will confine my observations for the present to those upon the foreground, for which the following colours, if mixed with taste and judgment, will produce every variety of tint that may be required. Indigo, Burnt T. Sienna, Brown Pink, Raw T. Sienna, Gamboge, and Yellow Ochre occasionally, and sometimes Vandyke Brown may be added. It is necessary to add, that the green which Indigo and Gamboge alone will make, ought to be sparingly used, as it has a cold effect when it is seen to predominate, though in the weeds and wild flowers that ornament and enrich the foreground it may be applied to great advantage, as it will impart a degree of freshness and variety that will have a very pleasing effect upon the eye, when contrasted with the more mellow tints that frequently surround them. Before I proceed, I feel that it is necessary to remark, lest any misconception should occur, that the list of colours just described should never be mixed wholly and at once together, as they would in that case produce a dull and opaque appearance; but that some should occasionally be omitted, and others added, until the desired tint is produced. It will, however, be perfectly useless to enter into the detail of particular tints, of which no clear idea can be conveyed in words; for if I were, for instance, to state that blue and yellow, with the addition of a little red or brown, would make a mellow green, yet it would be impossible to describe in any terms the precise green that might be required, as an endless variety may be produced by the modification of these colours; and this remark will apply in a great measure to the various tints that are necessary to represent a complete landscape. In short, all that can be done to aid the beginner in his endeavours to become an artist, is to lessen the difficulties he will meet with in the pursuit of his profession, by pointing out, in as plain and clear a manner as possible, the means by which he may accomplish his purpose; and this he can only effect by great industry, the most assiduous observation of nature, and the strictest examination of the best works of art. Therefore he must not for a moment suppose that any receipt can be given for making a picture; for success must depend mainly upon his feeling an ardent love for nature and for his art, with an irresistible desire to proceed on to excellence. I am, &c. LETTER XV. MY DEAR SIR; As the directions already given for the green tints will, I trust, be sufficient to enable the practitioner to proceed, I will continue my instructions for the mixture of such colours as may be required for earths, rocks, and buildings. Earths differ greatly in colour, according to the nature of the soil; for in some places we admire the rich and glowing tones of gravel, and in others clay and sand of various hues, and also banks of earth of the deepest brown, which are sometimes diversified with purplish gray tints. When they are overhung with luxuriant foliage, the harmonious contrast of colours produce a very agreeable effect, which is heightened by the deep shade under the boughs, and their shadows cast upon the bank, which is frequently ornamented with wild flowers, fern, and various other plants. And it will be well to observe, that a colour tending to red or purple, harmonizes very agreeably when contrasted with rich green tints. The colours to be mixed together for roads, are Yellow Ochre, Light Red, and Vandyke Brown; and where a cooler tint may be required, a little Cobalt or Indigo should be added to them and every : variety of tint for roads, in general, can be produced with these colours, except in some local situations where there is an inclination towards a purplish tint, when Indian Red should be substituted for the Light Red, and the blue in a slight degree increased. For earthy banks of a rich brown colour, Vandyke Brown, Burnt T. Sienna, Gamboge, or Raw T. Sienna, will answer the purpose; but if a richer tint should be required, Brown Pink must be used instead of Vandyke Brown; and for rocks, which vary in colour, from a reddish tint, to one more brown, or to a purplish |